Haystack fire near Coeur d’Alene was arson, officials say

Fire investigators in Kootenai County said someone intentionally set fire to a large haystack on the north end of Coeur d’Alene early Sunday morning.

The Coeur d’Alene and Northern Lakes fire departments responded at about 5 a.m. to a field near North Ramsey Road and West Alps Street, north of Canfield Avenue, and fought the flames, which consumed the hay.

Firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading to a second haystack nearby. The column of smoke was visible for miles.

Evidence of the arson was collected at the scene, Coeur d’Alene Fire Investigator Craig Etherton said.